Advocacy Updates
The latest on our advocacy efforts.
Read the highlights of CICC’s ongoing advocacy efforts across Canada for the month of March.
Last updated April 30, 2026.
Federal Updates
CICC continues to work with CEMA to resolve the uncompensated consumer carbon price liability. Recent meetings with Wayne Long’s office, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions), have been positive and together we are working towards a rebate or remission plan.
CICC submitted a response to the National Anti-Fraud Strategy Consultation to ensure our sector’s concerns are heard. The submission focused on ways the government can protect legitimate small businesses, safeguard government revenues, and keep illicit products out of our communities.
Read the full submission here.
CICC is preparing a pre-budget consultation in advance of the 2026 Fall Budget.
The focus is on:
- Combatting the contraband nicotine crisis and strengthen border security
- Integrating the disruption of illicit nicotine networks into the National Anti-Fraud Strategy
- Resolving the consumer carbon price liability
- Providing relief from credit card interchange fees
- Eliminating interprovincial trade barriers for alcohol and tobacco
- We are working with EY and KPMG to gather additional statistics and information about the scope and impact of the illicit nicotine market in Canada, including lost tax revenues resulting from contraband tobacco activity.
Atlantic Updates
The annual RCA gala dinner was well attended. Nova Scotia, Minister Greg Morrow attended and brought messaging from the Premier’s office. The message was conveyed that while broad based sale of alcohol is not an immediate priority; government is still open to other options.
CICC VP Mike Hammoud is following up and setting up meetings with NS Liquor Corp and Government to see if there is another path forward to have beer and RTD’s in member sites. While the Nova Scotia Government has said “not yet” to the Ontario model; they have indicated they are open to other approaches, where NS Liquor is more involved and looks after distribution.
It’s early days but PEI is also asking for meetings to explore expanded convenience store retailing with the Provincial Liquor regulator playing a major role and possibly have branded coolers in store.
The new Provincial Contraband Task force is underway. CICC Atlantic will be meeting with all Finance Departments to reinforce the need for more enforcement action to reduce illegal contraband; and to clearly see the millions of dollars of lost tax revenue that could be re-captured. Given the massive Atlantic Province budget deficits – this is more important now than ever.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, a meeting is in the work with new Finance Minister Craig Pardy. The agenda for the meeting includes contraband tobacco and improved beer margins.
Quebec Updates
For the past few weeks, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Sonia Bélanger, has indicated that she is considering restricting access to caffeinated energy drinks to those under 16.
The CICC has sent a letter to the new Premier, Ms. Christine Fréchette, and to the Minister of Health to strongly oppose any proposal to impose sales restrictions. In this letter, the CICC emphasizes that this issue is far more complex than simple age limits suggest. It relates to public health education and calls upon parents, doctors, pharmacists, educators, and the industry in their respective roles.
Following this letter, the CICC has been invited to an upcoming meeting with the Minister’s office to present the concerns of the retail sector. This is a positive development, and we will keep you informed of the ongoing discussions.
Ontario Updates
We continue to advocate for our members and ensure that issues related to the LCBO’s new Future State Modernization (FSM) transition are highlighted and prioritized. We have participated in regular calls with senior LCBO leadership, including the interim CEO, highlighting the challenges with the new system that have disproportionately impacted our sector.
In addition, we continue to work with the government to address challenges with the beverage alcohol retail framework to prevent any unintended consequences with the proposed distribution changes, as well as rules and regulations which are hurting our stores (ex. Shelf space requirements).
CICC continues to meet with key decision makers in Ontario on contraband tobacco and pushing the government to take additional steps to crack down on the growing illicit trade in Ontario.
Western Canada Updates
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